Benches – benches everywhere
They are designed as places where we gather or sit alone. Although benches are part of all cultures, Croatian culture supports the bench use to its fullest. If you go to any town, small or large, you will find people on. benches. All kind of benches, some just simple boards being held up by stone or more formal benches put up by the town or specific neighborhoods.
The best time of the day to find gatherings is really anytime, but mid-day is a good time in cooler weather and late afternoon and evening hours are best in the summer months. Different benches attract different population, depending on the area where it is located.
Photo courtesy Jana Boriello, Ilovik, Croatia.
Besides the church and park benches, these can be sorted into various categories, depending on their typical use. Our town has a specific category used for the bench collection. They are called Baba’s bench. Baba means grandmother. However, it does not only serve babas, it also accepts nonos or didos – meaning grandfathers -- and any other member of the community. No discrimination here. Multiple benches are scattered in different neighborhoods, but there is often one main one that commands most importance.
Photo: courtesy Peter Baricevic. 2017.
Nothing is off limits as what is discussed and shared. Confidentiality is very important in the bench culture. However, beware that it has happened that the information from Babas bench has escaped and has made it into homes of people that were not even present.
Photo courtesy of Jana Boriello
